THE LEADER of Otley Town Council is calling on a housing developer to put high standards before 'excessive' profit.

Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) has echoed the criticisms of Persimmon Homes* that were made by Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable in December.

Mr Cable had described the bonuses paid to the company's top managers - including some £110 million to the chief executive, Jeff Fairburn - as 'obscene'

Persimmon, which is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Government's help-to-buy scheme, gave more than £500 million in total to 150 senior staff members.

As news of the bonuses broke Mr Cable tweeted: "Just a small fraction of the obscene bonus for boss of Persimmon could provide a house for all the homeless families in my home city of York.

"Bonus based on government subsidy - he must give some of this back to York, where Persimmon is based."

Persimmon's then Chair, Nicholas Wrigley, resigned a few days later over his role in the payout, expressing regret that he had not capped the company's bonuses.

The firm is the lead developer behind the contentious 550-home East of Otley scheme, and town council Chair Cllr Georgeson said those plans would be under even more scrutiny now.

He said: "The flagrant excess displayed by the senior management of Persimmon with their extravagant bonuses won't be lost on the Otley community as we brace ourselves for their expected, huge development.

"We will be watching closely and expecting people and planet to be put before excessive profit with the absolute highest standards of low-carbon building, architecture and design that our community deserves - as well as no skimping

or compromises on the essential community and leisure infrastructure that is also needed.

"Vince Cable is absolutely right to draw attention to these obscene bonuses.

"They come at a time where increasing numbers of people are homeless and new houses are still being built with no real regard for the need to build in low-carbon resilience in this era of climate change."

Last November Otley's MP, Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) received written assurances from Persimmon about its intentions in Otley.

The letter included commitments to building a relief road and providing a new school, elderly accommodation and employment land, and replacement sport pitches.

It also ruled out any intention of building more than 550 homes on the development site, which consists of green fields at the eastern edge of the town.

*Persimmon Homes was contacted by the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer but did not wish to comment.